Clinton Native Signs With MSU Soccer Team
May 25, 2016 | Soccer
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi State head coach Neil McGuire announced an additional signee to his 2003 recruiting class Wednesday afternoon as Hinds Community College transfer Jill Breland (Clinton, Miss./Clinton HS) inked her name on a national letter of intent to continue her playing career in Starkville.
Breland comes to Mississippi State after a phenomenal two-year playing career in the junior college ranks, the latest of which earned her a junior college all-american accolade. She is expected to contribute immediately with the Bulldogs.
"Jill brings to this program a wealth of playing experience at the goalkeeping position," McGuire said. "Having spent her last two years maturing at the junior college level, we look to her making a strong push for the starting goalkeeping position. We are looking forward to having her join our program."
As a sophomore last season at Hinds, Breland played and started all 18 games for the Lady Eagles, surrendering just seven goals in 1,620 minutes of playing time for a goals against average of 0.39. She notched 117 saves and 12 shutouts and helped lead Hinds to a 17-1 record and the MACJC and NJCAA Region XXIII championships. Her efforts were rewarded at season's end with NJCAA all-America honors.
As a freshman forward for the Lady Eagles in 2001, Breland finished as the team's second-leading scorer after collecting 19 points on eight goals and three assists. Her accomplishments helped lead Hinds to a fourth place finish at the NJCAA national tournament, as well as Southeastern District, Region XXIII and MACJC championships. She also earned a spot on the MACJC all-state squad.
In her final two seasons with Clinton, Breland turned in a 29-11 record in the nets, surrendering 41 goals in 3,600 minutes of playing time for a 1.03 goals against average. She captained the Lady Arrows during her junior and senior seasons and earned team MVP honors during each campaign as well. A standout prep fastpitch softball player as well, Breland earned MVP accolades as a senior and the Clinton's outstanding defensive award as a junior.
The daughter of Rodney and Jackie Breland of Clinton, has an older brother, Kelly. She is expected to major in Education at Mississippi State.
